Chapter 11: Home, Sweet Home(Kuro's POV)

Blinding light blinds him for a moment as he steps out of the portal. Blinking his eyes adjust to the bright sunlight and he sees a crowd of people who are waiting for them. Pidge immediately runs into what he assumes is her mom and the two share a nice hug.

Suddenly two people come running up to him and Shiro who is beside him.

"Shiro, I've missed you!" replies an older young adult. His hair is jet black and his purple eyes sparkle. He wears a standard garrison uniform but it's light pink with purple highlights. He hugs us both and it makes him feel a little awkward. The young adult then pulls away and asks, "But why are there two of you?"

"I would like to know the same." says a much older adult. He has glasses and light brown hair that's short. His eyes are amber.

"Adam!" says Shiro happily.

"Shiro, you still haven't answered my question…" The raven haired adult points out.

"Oh, right, sorry. This is Kuro my clone."

"You're clone!" both the raven haired adult and Adam shout.

"Yeah. That's me. Kuro the clone." He says awkwardly.

"It's a long story. One that can wait for another time. Adam, how have you been?" Shiro asks, changing the subject.

"Keith here along with Commander Holt convinced Admiral Sanda to send out the MFE's instead of me and our other squadrons. He saved my life. Other than that I'm doing fine."

"Keith? You've grown so much since I've seen you last." Shiro responds.

"Yeah I have. Bet you didn't even recognize me." Keith smiles.

"I honestly didn't." Shiro admits.

Then Commander Iverson approaches them. "Officer Shirogane. It's good to see you again. My apologies for putting you under Quarantine."

"It's no problem, you were only following orders like any good soldier would."

"And why are there two of you?"

"It's a long story, one we don't really have time for."

"You're right. Admiral Sanda and the rest of the board want to have a debriefing shortly. If you'll follow me I'll show you where that is."

Kuro nods, and follows Commander Iverson. Walking down the halls it feels so strange to know these corridors to have them ingrained in his brain but at the same time they feel foreign to him as those aren't his memories and he never really walked this path.

Allura comes up beside him and grabs his only hand at the moment. It makes him feel a little more comfortable. But not much.

Once in the meeting room, he takes a seat next to Allura. Whilst Shiro takes a seat next to Adam. Once everyone is seated and those left remaining stand Commander Holt begins the debriefing.

"Sendak's forces remain at bay. But without a meaningful supply line we're slowly being suffocated."

"No one else has tried to fight Sendak?" Shiro asks.

A lady replies, "Small underground resistances have attempted to. Some have been successful, but in the end they were all found out and systematically destroyed. Earth's offensive capabilities, except for what we've developed here, simply don't stand a chance against the Galra."

"What about bringing more people into this base?"

Commander Holt responds, "We've had to put a hold on that since they were proving to be too risky after a while."

"But there are innocent people out there. People who could be protected," Hunk protests. "My family's out their."

"I'm sorry, Hunk."

"But if we have an opportunity…"

"Hunk!" Ketith speaks up. "I wish we could get more people in here. Protect them. But I'm afraid we just don't have….."

"What about the Miraculous…."

"Hey, do Paladins not understand the chain of command! Your CO told you…."

"Officer Griffin, that's enough. I understand what you're going through Hunk. We all do, but we have to weigh our options and sending a mission to retrieve more people is just too risky. We can't lose ten to save twelve. I'm sorry."

"Then let's find out what we can do." Shiro speaks up, standing. "You said you've integrated Altean tech with Earth weaponry…"

Commander Holt smiles, "I'll show you what we've done so far."

He then leads us out of the meeting and into an elevator. It's a little squished with all the Paladins and some other people in the small elevator.

"The Mecha-Flex-Exo fighters, or MFEs, are extremely agile with advanced weaponry. Although they are only capable of short range attacks. Sustaining Altean tech isn't easy with only Earth's resources." Commander Holt explains as they descend. "But we're trying to overcome that."

"I could help you with that. I do have some leftover faunatonium. It is an Altean fuel additive but has some unexpected side effects so make sure not to get any on you." Coran responds.

The Elevator door opens and they walk away from the MFEs to this big white ship. He's astonished at how big it is.

"This is our command ship. It's big enough to fit the Lions and an entire command unit."

"It is built. But it cannot fly." Admiral Sanda says. "I think there's a subject we can no longer avoid. The Lions are here now and I think we need to at least weigh our options."

"Give up the Lions? Are you insane Admiral? You've seen what Sendak has done there is no bargaining with him. If we just give up the Lions, Sendak will destroy Earth." Keith argues.

"But they are Earth's only bargaining chip…"

"I agree with the Admiral," says Commander Saldan, "Earth has lost countless citizens and we could end this strife right now."

"We are not giving up the Lions under any circumstance." Shiro says. Kuro nods. Now that the Lions are here Earth has a chance. And with the Alteans here, especially Coran, the weaponry they have can be upgraded.

"I agree with Shiro. Sendak was one of my father's more ruthless Generals. If we give up the lions, like Keith said, they will not keep their word and either enslave Earth or destroy it." Lotor comments.

"But we lack intelligence…."

"Maybe not…" Allura murmurs. "The data that you downloaded from the Castle also contains Sendak's memories."

"How does that help?" Commander Holt asks.

Pidge responds, "Because if we have access to his memories then we could figure out Snedak's plan. Allura you're a genius."

"All we need is time." Commander Holt says.

"Fine." Admiral Sanda says.

Kuro sighs in relief, he thought that would be ugly. But instead they managed to find a solution thanks to Allura's quick thinking. But he wonders if their plan will be a success and if Admiral Sanda is willing to wait for them to create a coherent plan.

Keith's POV

That was almost a huge disaster. We can't have infighting amongst ourselves. Otherwise the Galra will have already won. "Keith what's the matter? Aren't you happy that Shiro, Chloe and the other members of Voltron and Team Miraculous are back?" Roaar asks.

"Of course I am, I just…"

He pauses when he hears someone groan. Turning around he sees Hunk wiping off some sort of oil thing off his face. "Everything okay here?" he asks, leaning on the doorway. Roaar floats beside him, looking at Hunk with interest.

"Yeah."

"Look… I know I wasn't very supportive of your request earlier and I'm not that good at talking with people. But if there's ever anything on your mind…."

"This situation stinks! I can't believe we finally get to Earth and it's infested by Galra. I mean I know we knew that when we were heading back home thanks Chloe. But a part of me really wanted to come home to a peaceful Earth!"

Keith glances at Roaar and then walks over to Hunk, "I guess there something bugging you."

"I..I know it's stupid. But I'm jealous that Lance and Pidge get to hang out with their families and Shiro gets to hang out with you and a friend of his. I am happy, really, it's just hard to watch them be with each other when my family is still out there and I can't be with them. I wasn't there for them, I know Voltron needed me, but I just wish I could be with my family. I don't even know if they're okay or alive or anything….I just miss them and I've never felt so alone and scared."

"Look Hunk… I know I wasn't really there because of the switch, and I never told you or anyone this. But out of all the Paladins I'm most impressed by you."

Hunk turns to look at him and he continues, "It was no secret that you were the most scared when we started out but you've never backed down. You always continue fighting even if you're scared. And being brave means to go on despite being afraid, despite feeling alone. And that's who you are Hunk. I know you're frightened, but your family needs you to be strong, to fight despite being afraid."

The Hunk hugs him and he hugs him back. "Thank you Keith." He then pulls away and walks to the doorway. "Where are you going?"

"To get my family."

Keith smiles "Not without me you ain't."

"Yay! Road trips are so exciting!"

Hunk jumps a bit and asks, "Who said that?"

"Why me of course. Roaar the kwami of exaltation!" She says loudly, flying close to Hunk's face.

"This is your kwami?"

"Yeah," Keith says as Roaar nuzzles his cheek. "She's a bit of a handful but she's an excellent friend."

"Of course! I am the kwami of exaltation!"

He chuckles and Hunk looks back and forth between him and Roaar. "Okay. I'm just so used to Tikki that seeing another kwami besides is her is kindof…."

"Weird?" He finishes Hunk's sentence.

"Yeah considering Chloe, Adrien, Zoe and Kagami kept wearing their space suits all the time. Thanks for sending them by the way."

"It's no problem. I knew the Horse Miraculous would come in handy when they found you. Look a bit longer than expected. But I'm just grateful you guys are okay." He smiles.

"So you knew our power cores would be depleted?"

"Not really. I didn't know what condition you guys would be in, so I asked Adrien if he could have the rest of the team look for you in the last known location you were spotted in."

"Smart."

"Shouldn't we ah, be looking for your family, though?"

"Yeah we should. Let's go."

"Roaar, paint my stripes."

Hunk gasps and instead of walking out the doorway walks closer to him examining his superhero outfit.

"Wow, your suit looks amazing!"

"Thanks."

"Now let's go!"

Keith shakes his head and sighs a little. But he leads Hunk to where the armory is. Considering that Hunk's bayard isn't suited for the new tech the Galra have deployed while trying to snuff them out. Once they've collected their weapons they take a rover. He drives them out of the complex and to a place where he knows he can get some information on where Hunk's parent's could be.

"Why are we stopping here?"

"Some people of the resistance have popped again and they have an outpost close by. If anyone has info on your parents it's one of the resistance members. Stay tight, I'll be right back."

Getting out of the car, he sneakily heads to the outpost trying not to attract attention. Reaching one of the crumbled buildings that still has a door, he knocks. A slider opens revealing blue eyes and the person behind the door asks, "What is the passcode?"

"Galra's are fools, Earth rules."

"Accepted, come on in."

The door opens and he walks inside the building. Immediately he sees a nice view of the other buildings surrounding the area making the outpost have a nice vantage point.

"So what do you need, Marmora?" asks the person who was behind the door. His name is Tyson Carson an old member of the resistances that have popped up. He has a scar on his left cheek and his brown hair makes his blue eyes stand out. His clothes are shabby and faded.

"I'm looking for a Paladin's parents. Hunk Garret's parents to be exact."

"Ah. I'll see what I can find out. Any other family?"

"He has a big family, but if you find the parents the rest of his family is probably in the same compound."

"Fair point Marmora. I'll look for the parents. Stay here and bring your friend. Seems like Earth does have hope to defeat the Galra afterall."

"Yes it does. Good luck,"

The person nods and then walks out of the door to the outpost. He follows him and then heads to the car.

"Hunk good news, one of the older members of the resistance…."

"I thought that lady said that the resistance was wiped out?"

Keith smiles, "Doesn't mean that some people didn't escape. How else do you think the Resistance's keeped surfacing? It wasn't just because they wanted to beat the Galra, it was also because some older resistance members escaped the terminating the Galra did and inspired hope to the people who avoided capture."

"I guess the Galra aren't perfect."

"No, otherwise they would have beaten us by now, the Garrison and captured all the humans who avoided capture and caught all resistance members." Changing the subject he adds, "We can wait for the guy to come with the info inside the outpost."

"Okay,"

A Few Moments Later:

"Marmora, I know where Hunk's parents are being kept. But it looks like security has been tightened and they've moved all the prisoners inside the work camps making it near impossible to get to them." says Tyson.

"Can't I at least see them?"

"Of course. But just be cautious and don't try to swoop in to save them. You and Marmora alone couldn't pull it off alone."

"I just want to see them. To know they're okay."

"Fair enough."

"And who's Marmora?"

"The tiger clad hero next to you of course."

Hunk looks at Tyson and at him, and goes back and forth for a while. "Wait…"

"We don't have time for this. Tyson take us to see Hunk's parent's."

Hunk's POV

Hunk looks through the binoculars and sees his parents. They look frightened and his heart breaks to see them like that. He lowers the binoculars. Tears fall from his face and he vows, "Voltron will save Earth and I will free you."